What the Stimulus Package Does for Renewable Energy

With about $50 billion in spending and $20 billion in tax provisions, energy won big in the stimulus package. Spending projects include $11 billion for the electrical grid, $2 billion for advanced battery technology, and $5 billion for home weatherization. Grants for energy programs also are major routes for cash, with $6.3 billion going to states and towns. An additional $300 million funds state and municipal purchases of electric and hybrid cars. (They appear in other parts of the package, too: The federal government will buy $300 million worth. There's also a 10 percent tax credit for those who convert their cars to electric power and a 50 percent credit to gas stations that install pumps for alternative fuel like ethanol.) More More

U.S., U.K., Australia to Establish Green Building Standards

Major green building organizations and their assessment systems in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have agreed to work together to develop common metrics for measuring carbon emissions from new office buildings and homes. More

Is “Skyscraper Farming” the Future of Farming in the Middle East?

Imagine being able to place an entire farm, complete with crops and livestock, in the same space as is required for one of today’s modern urban skyscrapers. A Columbia University professor, Dickson Despommier, has been involved in such a project that could turn a 30 story glass faced building into a vertical agricultural enterprise capable of feeding 50,000 the year round. While such an idea may seem a bit far-fetched to some people, to others who live in densely populated areas such as Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, see this idea as having great benefit, as well as being much more environmental friendly than standard agricultural practices which contribute greatly to greenhouse gases, and global warming. More

Texas Oilmen Lead Charge of 'Green' Energy Exploration

George Alcorn is a third-generation Texas oilman. His grandfather drilled for oil in the 1930s, then his father and his uncles followed suit. When Alcorn, 51, looks into the future of his business, though, he doesn't see black oil gushing from a well — he sees steam. Alcorn recently revamped his business strategy from traditional oil exploration to using abandoned wells and drilling technology to generate geothermal energy as a way to power cities. With mounting national interest in renewable energy, oil companies are starting to think in renewable terms. President Obama's $800 billion economic stimulus, which contains incentives for renewable projects, has helped push the swing. More

Gensler Unveils China's Tallest Building at Mipim

Undaunted by the global financial maelstrom, architect Gensler unveiled plans for China's tallest building, the 632m-tall Shanghai Tower. Located in the Luijiazui Finance and Trade Zone of the city, the tower – which is being developed by Shanghai Tower Construction & Development Company – broke ground last year and is due for completion in 2014. More

Register Now for AFE’s Next FREE Webinar on Tuesday, March 24: Maintaining Your Building's Performance During a Recession; Analyzing and Managing Risk

The U.S. is currently in a recessionary period and as a result, many businesses are reducing their real estate footprint and scaling back "discretionary" spending. Building performance isn’t really discretionary — between the high operating costs and the need to make workers productive and comfortable, the real question is … how do you analyze and manage your risk during a time when budgets are shrinking? Included in this web cast and article will be: • How to conduct a risk analysis on your building • Determining where it’s okay to take risks and defer maintenance and what’s absolutely required • Understanding sources of expense funding • How to get started … Conducted by Lou Ronsivalli. This webinar is worth .1 CEU credits toward recertification. Click here to register. (Free to AFE Members; $99 for nonmembers.) More

Giant Eco-Egg Skyscraper: A Conceptual Luxury Hotel

From the unseen, unsung files of design competitions past comes the Envision Green Hotel proposed by Miami-based Michael Rosenthal Associates for Hospitality Design’s Radical Innovation design competition. Part wind tower, part urban eco-resort, and all egg, this “lobular” structure is touted as one of the most recognizable landmarks for the city in which it would ultimately be…laid. Inhabitat leaves it up to you to decide whether this is an egg-cellent idea or something not quite fully hatched. More

Mark Your Calendar for Facilities America - AFE's 2009 Technical Conference to be held October 29-November 1 in Greenville, SC!

This world-class Industrial Conference, Trade Show and Training Event will feature the latest products, services and techniques to improve operations at your facility. AFE certification opportunities will also be offered. Greenville and the six-county area in Upstate SC is home to BMW of North America, Michelin of North America, 3M, Milliken & Company and many other dynamic facilities – the perfect location for AFE’s Conference! Registration and further details forthcoming. Stay tuned… More

Sweden Unveils 'Ambitious' Clean Energy Strategy

Sweden's government presented what it described as Europe's "most ambitious" strategy to improve energy efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The government said it now aims by 2020 for renewable energy to comprise 50 percent of all energy produced, for the Swedish car fleet to be independent of fossil fuels 10 years later and for the country to be carbon neutral by 2050. More